See Batman and Catwoman’s Romantic History Through Sexy New Perspective

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DC’s New 52 relaunch streamlined and pruned the DC Universe’s complex history, but at the expense of many classic storylines and character relationships. Since the advent of DC Rebirth in 2016, the company has made a concerted effort to change course and restore those missing elements. Nowhere has that process been more tangible or crucial than in Batman #44, a comic devoted to celebrating the long history between Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle even as it highlights how that history has changed with time.

Essentially a prelude to the upcoming wedding between the two characters, Batman #44 focuses on Selina’s efforts to “find” (more accurately, steal) the perfect wedding dress. As she contemplates her options, Selina frequently flashes back to her previous costumed encounters with her fiance. Each of these flashbacks recreates iconic moments from Batman comics of the past.

Check out a compare/contrast of the moments by clicking through the slideshow gallery below.

It’s interesting to read this issue and be reminded of just how much comic book storytelling has evolved over the decades. However, Batman #44 is more than just an intellectual exercise. These alterations serve an important storytelling purpose. They give readers a better understanding of Catwoman’s point of view in these classic encounters. They show how important memory and point of view can be when it comes to revisiting the past. And perhaps most importantly, these flashbacks create a firm link between the present-day DCU and its past incarnations, showing that these old stories continue to matter, regardless of how much the details might change.

For more on what we love about King and Janin’s Batman, check out our video on their instant classic, The War of Jokes and Riddles: